New Limerick man killed by shed explosion

NEW LIMERICK, Maine — A 79-year-old man was killed Wednesday afternoon after there was an explosion in a shed in his yard on Country Club Drive.

Budsen Anderson of New Limerick, a retired school teacher, reportedly was working on lawn equipment in a 10 by 16 shed behind his home on Nickerson Lake when the explosion occurred about 2:45 p.m., Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said Wednesday evening.

Anderson managed to stagger a few feet away from the shed, which was leveled, before he collapsed and died, McCausland said.

The blast was heard by several neighbors who called for help, he said.

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Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office are working to determine the source and cause of the explosion, McCausland said.